Hunter (1984–1991): Season 4, Episode 10 - Hot Prowl - full transcript
Hunter and McCall become suspicious when a Bel Air housewife refuses to identify the man who robbed her of a million-dollar necklace.
Someone is in here.
We've got 12 different
guys that match this M.O.
A prowler drives into a
residential neighborhood,
he rips off a car.
This man stole this necklace.
Seen either one of them?
I am an honest businessman.
Those are all diamonds.
It's a murder case
now, Mr. Benson.
I want my necklace and
I'm willing to pay for it.
Som... somebody's here.
Somebody's here.
Hey!
,, he's got my necklace!
Security guard's
name is Tom Mitchell.
Used to be a police officer.
Yeah.
I know.
He, uh... he taught me how
to shoot at the academy.
I didn't know that.
Retired a couple of years ago.
He's, uh... I guess he
just couldn't give it up.
Con permiso.
Can you tell me what
the man looked like?
It was too dark to see
his face when I caught him.
The punk got lucky
with a sucker punch.
I mean, he breaks in here,
he threatens my wife.
I'd like to tear
the guy in half.
What about when you
turned on the light?
Oh, god.
I was scared.
But I saw him.
He was about six
feet and he was thin
and he was wearing all black.
Was he Caucasian?
Yes.
And he wasn't bald, but he
had a... a receding hairline.
I'm sorry I can't
be any more help.
It happened so fast.
No.
That's all right.
You're sure that
this necklace is
the only thing that's missing?
That's all.
We checked.
And how much is it worth?
Over $1 million.
Those are all diamonds.
I'm sorry, honey.
I'm so stupid.
I should have locked it
up as soon as we got home.
Don't worry about it.
At least you didn't get hurt.
Let's call it quits, huh?
I mean, my wife's been
through enough for one night.
Sure.
If I have any more questions,
I'll contact you tomorrow.
All right?
How's Tom Mitchell?
Still in ICU.
What's the story on the victims?
Floyd Benson is a
self-made millionaire.
He's recently retired.
Back in the '60s, he
managed a trucking firm.
Then he owned it and then he
bought out three of his biggest
competitors, and
he did all of that
in just a matter of months.
Is all this aboveboard?
As far as we can tell.
And the necklace that was
stolen was a gift from Floyd
to Carol.
It was a second
anniversary present.
We've got 12 different
guys that match this M.O.
A prowler goes to a
residential district at night,
rips off a car, drives
into a wealthy district,
burglarizes a home, drives off,
abandons the car, end of job.
Now, nobody reports anything
missing until the morning,
and by then the
trail's too cold.
Any way you can link
these guys to last night?
Well, there's three of them that
fit the general description.
One of them's been in the
slammer for a couple of days
and the other one
moved to San Jose.
The third one is this
guy, Charlie Spain,
medium build, about six foot,
sandy hair, receding hairline.
Basically, he matches
the physical description
that Carol Benson gave us.
Pick him up.
You take Benson,
I'll take Spain.
Yeah.
Who is it?
Metropolitan Police.
Just a minute.
OK.
Right on time, Charlie.
Weller, you want
to bring him in?
We're going to ask you folks
to take a look at a couple
of people here in the lineup.
I didn't get much of
a chance at the guy.
That's all right.
Just take your time.
Can they see us?
No.
Like, I told you the first time,
I was sleep when Carol
turned on the light.
And it was dark
while we had it out.
I didn't get a shot at his face.
I don't recognize any of them.
Would you take
another look, please?
I'm sorry.
I don't think he's there.
Thank you.
Honey, I thought you
said you saw the guy.
I thought I did.
Guess not, huh?
She told me she got a
good look at the guy's face
and we get down here,
she can identify him.
I don't know.
What do you want?
I mean, it does happen.
- Yeah.
I don't like when it
happens to me, though.
Well, neither do I.
There's still Tom Mitchell.
Come on.
Yeah.
Hi.
I'd like to see Tom
Mitchell, please.
Are you a relative?
No, but I'm a good friend.
I'm sorry.
Mr. Mitchell died
about half an hour ago.
It's me.
347 Victoria, second floor,
first apartment on the left.
He's alone.
- Who is it?
- Carol Benson.
Who?
You remember me.
You broke into my
house last night
and you stole my
diamond necklace.
Lady, I've never seen
you in my entire life,
and I don't break
into people's houses.
I want it back.
You are barking up
the wrong tree, you
and that wire you're wearing.
I'm not wearing a wire.
And I look stupid
enough to believe that.
There's more than one
place to hide a wire.
Satisfied?
Well, let's say I believe
you're not wearing a wire.
Nobody knows I'm here.
I want my necklace and
I'm willing to pay for it.
$50,000.
OK.
I'll play along with this.
Some guy grabbed your necklace.
What did you say
it was, diamonds?
Diamonds it is.
What's something
like that worth?
Call it $1 million?
Well, that guy could
get 10% from any fence.
10% of a million, $100,000.
I'll pay $100,000.
Lady, you've got
to have insurance.
What's going on here?
I don't want the insurance
money; I want my necklace.
Like I said, I don't have it.
This is my phone number.
If you call me, and I'm sure
you will, ask for Eleanor.
I'll know it's for you
and I'll take the call.
Look what I got.
Hey, Grandpa.
Look, it's all fixed.
Just a little dab of super epoxy
glue, that's all it needed,
man.
And it's as good as new.
Now, watch this here.
Clumsy, clumsy, clumsy.
Grandpa, how you doing?
Oh, just fair.
Good to see you.
How you doing, Sporty?
I decapitated Bessie Smith.
Grandpa's favorite blues
singer, you know, I knocked it
off the mantelpiece yesterday.
Grandma bought it for Grandpa
way back there, where,
in New York World's Fair, 1939.
Because the next
year Grandma died.
Yeah.
There's probably not another
one like it in the entire globe.
Man, he'll never forgive me.
Well, I'm sorry,
Grandpa, Sporty.
How could I mess up your life?
Sporty, where would a guy
ditch a piece of ice like that?
Oh, yeah.
For something this big,
you're talking about some very
rarified fencing.
Uh, individuals who like
to keep a low profile.
Oscar.
- Oscar.
Yeah.
You go ask Oscar.
The man who's got a pawnshop
on McAllister and Western.
He doesn't he handle this
level of merchandise,
but he will lead you
to people who can.
Good.
Thanks, Sporty.
So, uh, what about the usual
Sporty James quid pro quo?
No charge, Hunter.
Man, I've got enough
on my mind right now.
Being in Grandpa's doghouse
is a full-time occupation.
See you, Grandpa.
See you, Sporty.
Get in there.
In, in, in.
I can't commit myself to
something over the telephone.
Oh, yeah?
Well, you bring it in here and
show me it's in perfect shape.
Listen, fella, I'm open
24 hours a day almost.
Just come in here, show
me your merchandise,
I'll give you a price.
It's that simple.
Don't give me any lip,
for crying out loud.
Will you come in here and
we'll try and do business.
I gotta go.
Is there anything I can
do for you, Sergeant?
Yeah.
You ever see that before?
Do I look like I
deal in diamonds?
You're a fence, aren't you?
Hey, wait a minute.
Now, I... I don't even
know how to respond
to an accusation like that.
I am an honest businessman.
Yo, Oscar, my man.
I would like you to meet your
police officer friend here.
Oh.
Hey, police officer friend.
Hi, Wally.
Hi.
Oh, man.
I'm so stupid.
I'm double parked.
I wouldn't watch you to
give me a ticket now.
See you, Wally.
Yeah.
Now, you see what
I need here is, uh,
for you to give me the name
or the names of people that
can fence $1 million in gems.
Or, Oscar, I put a
squad car right...
Right out there outside your
door every day for a month.
Three jewelers.
There's one in Century City,
there are two in Beverly Hills.
They don't do a lot, but when
they do it's always major.
Great.
Thanks.
Hey, Sergeant?
Do me a favor.
Will you forget
where you got that?
Forget where I got what?
How can I help you, officer?
Well, let's see.
This man stole this necklace.
Seen either one of them?
This is a jewelry store.
I know.
I've been to two just like it.
This man murdered a security
guard during the robbery.
Now, if anybody had
seen you two together,
you could be an
accessory to murder.
Well, I don't deal
in stolen items.
Though on occasion, a criminal
will approach me under the, uh,
assumption that I do.
Uh-huh.
Uh, this person came
in with the necklace,
I told him to get out.
That's it?
That is all, though I
must say you're making
an awful fuss over a fake.
What do you mean, a fake?
Cubic zirconia, synthetic
diamonds, about $5,000 worth.
A brilliant imitation.
Good enough to fool the rich
and famous, but not good
enough to fool me.
This necklace is a fake?
A fake.
Wow.
Benson residence.
Is Eleanor there?
It's for Miss Eleanor.
I'll take it.
May I help you?
Hello, Mrs. Benson.
Oh, hi.
Let's say I
do have that necklace of yours
and let's say I
took it to a fence...
A good one, a jeweler...
And he said that
they're not diamonds.
I might begin to
think, why would you
shell out $100,000 for a fake?
Get to the point.
I might also start to think
that you don't want anybody
else to know that it is
a fake, especially not
your moneybags husband,
and that you'd pay, say,
$200,000 to make sure
I return the favor
and keep my mouth shut.
- Is that it?
I think I've said enough.
You know where I am.
Hello?
Where are you?
Bev Hills.
I just connected Spain with
Carol Benson's necklace.
I'm glad somebody
is having some luck
because I'm not having any at
all with these other suspects.
Yeah.
Are you sitting down?
Yes.
The necklace is a fake.
- What?
- Yeah.
That's what I said.
Meet me at Spain's
apartment ASAP.
He's in that apartment
up over the garage there.
I want you to wait
around the back for me.
I'll go in the front way.
Spain?
Metro PD.
Open up.
Spain?
Spain?
McCall, he's dead.
Oh, boy.
Can you describe
exactly what you heard?
Two pops just like firecrackers.
As a matter of fact,
I thought that's what
it was, the neighborhood
kids messing around.
Can you remember about the time
that you heard these sounds?
Oh I can exactly.
It was one o'clock.
I had just switched on
"Another World" and pop, pop.
That's when it starts,
"Another World," one o'clock.
Thank you.
You've been very helpful.
Sure.
So there were two shots, one
to the head, one to the heart.
Looks like a .22.
Was he beaten up?
No, just the bullet wounds.
I'd say whoever came here
came here to kill him.
Yeah.
You know, I still
don't understand why
she'd risk everything she had.
What do you mean?
Carol's husband gives her
a necklace worth $1 million.
She trades it in
for cash and then
she replaces it with a fake?
Now, why would she do that?
She's young, she's
beautiful, she's
married to this wealthy guy.
Why would she risk losing
it all by stealing from him?
It doesn't make any sense.
Plus, $1 million is probably
petty cash considering
what the guy's worth.
I mean, she already has it all.
Well, the old man's 30
years older than she is.
Maybe he doesn't give
her enough space to do
what she really wants to do.
Like what?
Like take advantage of the
fact she's young and beautiful.
Good theory.
Bus 2114, express...
There it is.
To Pomona, Indio,
and now boarding...
Of course, that is provided
we find something in this,
uh, locker other
than gym shorts.
A bag.
You do the honors.
Well.
I wouldn't want
to disappoint you.
Oh, hello.
Check it out.
Think he wears out
when he works out?
Good.
It'd fool me.
Cute.
There she goes.
See you later.
Keep in touch.
You got it.
This is Lincoln 56.
I need a license
traced in California.
Plate 2 Paul Charles Edward 316.
Looks like, uh, unmarked
police vehicle, maybe...
Maybe from Beverly Hills.
POLICE DISPATCH: Roger L56.
On California plate 2
Paul Charles Edward 316,
car is registered to Martin
Greenwald, 2834 Oakwood Avenue.
Marty Greenwald
the private dick?
POLICE DISPATCH Owner
is listed as licensed
private investigator.
Roger.
L56 out.
Mr. Benson, please.
Oh, yes.
Just a minute, please.
Right through there, senor.
Thank you.
Sergeant.
Mr. Benson.
Have a seat.
Thank you.
Did you come here to give me
a report about our necklace?
No.
Actually, I came here
to talk to your wife.
What for?
It's a murder case
now, Mr. Benson.
You mean the
security guard died.
Who else would I have meant?
What are you getting
at, did he or didn't he?
Yes, he did.
He passed away
several hours ago.
But there's been another death.
Charlie Spain, the prowler that
your wife could not identify
in the lineup, he's dead, too.
- What the hell is...
- Just relax.
Just sit down.
I need to know where your wife
was at exactly 1:00 PM today.
In Beverly Hills.
Every Wednesday she's
got a beauty appointment
from 12:30 to two o'clock.
That's where she was.
Can I check that out?
Angela, get Sergeant
Hunter the address
of Mrs. Benson's beauty parlor.
By the way, where were
you today at one o'clock?
Playing golf.
Why?
Golf.
What did Marty Greenwald want?
You see, I know Marty.
I just saw him leaving.
Look, I hired
Greenwald because I
want that necklace back.
Sentimental value
alone, it's priceless.
I know damn well the
police department care more
about finding the guy who
shot the security guard
than it does about my necklace.
And I like to deal with
people who work for me.
Thank you.
And, uh, thank you.
Excuse me.
Hi.
- Hi.
Sergeant Hunter.
What's your name?
I'm Stephanie.
Stephanie, could you
tell me if Carol Benson was
in here today at one o'clock?
Carol?
Yes.
She comes in every Wednesday
at 12:30 for a facial.
- Did you see her?
- Well, no.
But that doesn't mean anything.
I was probably out to lunch.
Yeah.
Could you look?
Sure.
OK.
Right here at 12:30.
Hm.
Hm, what?
Well her name's not crossed
out so she didn't cancel,
but there's no X, which means
we don't bill her for today.
Well, that means
she never showed up.
Well, that means
I'm glad you looked.
Lincoln 57, this is Lincoln 56.
What's your 20?
8900 block on
Wilshire, heading east.
I'll cut over to San Vicente.
Our suspect's alibi
didn't check out.
It doesn't surprise me.
Just crossed Cannon.
Lincoln 57, this is Lincoln 56.
I'm at Wilshire Boulevard
and San Vicente.
OK.
Wait for us.
Hey, let's go!
Move it, you jerk!
Sorry.
You know a Carol Benson?
No.
Never heard of her.
- Where's your elevators?
- Around this way.
Thank you.
I'll call the floors.
Yeah.
She just passed
the fourth floor.
Got it.
She's just coming
up on the eighth.
She stopped at 15.
Got it.
Hi.
Carol Benson, please.
You must have the
wrong apartment.
I live here.
- Well, I know that.
But, uh, I think we both
know she's in there.
Do you have a search warrant?
Let him in, Jeffrey.
Thanks.
You have no business
following me around.
The state of my marriage
is none of your concern.
That's true, but the
murder of Charlie Spain is.
I have no idea who or
what you're talking about.
Well, sure you do.
Charlie Spain's the guy you
wouldn't ID at the lineup.
You know, this is a
very, very nice place.
What'd you do, sell the
necklace to pay for all this?
Get the hell out of here.
See, when Spain found out
this necklace was a fake, what
he decided to do was
hide it in a locker
down at the bus station.
That's why you couldn't
find it at his place.
Then Charlie got the bright
idea to blackmail you over this.
That's when you killed him.
At one o'clock today, you
had a facial appointment.
You missed it.
Why?
I was at the bank.
The bank.
Here, they messed up
my checking accounts.
Took them forever to fix it.
I missed my facial.
Look, the time and date
are printed right on it.
What is it, a little
after one o'clock?
Yeah.
Why don't you call the bank?
I bet there's maybe six or
seven people who remember me.
I may have raised a big
enough stink about it.
Very good, Carol.
Not only do you have
an alibi, but you've
got one in black and white.
I bet you don't have an alibi
in black and white, Jeff.
What are you trying to say?
I think what
she's trying to tell
you is she didn't kill anybody.
Now, if that's the truth, then
that leaves one other suspect.
What were you doing at
one o'clock today, Jeff?
I was at the health club
between twelve and two,
working out with at least
half a dozen people.
You can go over there and check.
Let's see now, pumping
iron between twelve and two
and the bank at one o'clock.
I'll check both of those out.
Don't leave town.
Appreciate it.
Let me guess.
Jeffrey's alibi check out?
Yeah.
He was doing squats with
about 5,000 other guys.
What about Carol?
Two tellers and
two vice presidents
will swear that she was in
that bank at one o'clock.
You know, why... why is it...
Why couldn't I have
been a fireman?
Oh.
You know, when you left Benson's
house, guess who drives up,
Marty Greenwald.
Marty Greenwald?
You mean Marty messy
divorce Greenwald, that guy?
Benson hired him
to find the necklace.
What, like the whole police
department wasn't good enough?
I find that kind
of hard to believe.
Yeah.
So do I.
So who the hell killed Spain?
Just a sec.
Hunter.
Hi, Marty.
I, uh, was just getting
ready to take off.
But, uh, come in.
You've been a good boy?
You look good.
Yeah?
Well, I try.
I, uh, see you got
out of that, uh, case
with the minister's
wife, you know
with the photographs of the
nude women spread all over town.
The lord works
in mysterious ways.
Yeah.
What were you doing
is Spain's apartment?
What are you talking about?
You a hit man now?
Spain's dead.
Hey, now wait a minute.
I do... I do...
I don't know anything
about Spain being hit.
And, uh, you paid Benson
a little visit today.
That was your car
I spotted there.
Yep.
Benson made it clear
that, uh, he hired
you to find that necklace.
Necklace?
Yeah.
Yeah.
He hired me before that ever
happened to tail his wife.
He thought she was
having an affair.
And I got the
records to prove it.
Now, that's more than
I should've told you.
Are you, uh... are
you gonna Mirandize.
Me?
No.
Angela.
Hi.
I'd like to see Mr. Benson.
Mr. Benson no here.
Angela, his car
is in the driveway.
I know he's here.
No, he's... he's gone.
Look, Angela, you know
something bad is going on here,
don't you?
Will you do me a favor?
Will you stand
right here and yell
as loud as you can yell if
anybody runs through this door?
Will you do that for me?
Yes.
OK.
Floyd?
Floyd?
Senor.
Senor!
Senor!
Stop, police.
Get out, Floyd.
You know, Floyd, I wasn't
too sure who killed Charlie
Spain until you took off.
Now I know.
I'll be out in three days.
Spain had an affair
with my wife.
No way they're going to send
me up for killing the bastard.
You're right about
the affair bit,
but it wasn't with
Charlie Spain.
You're crazy.
I've known for months
something was going on there.
And then when she
wouldn't identify
that punk in the lineup, Marty
followed her to his apartment.
Marty saw her getting
undressed, for crying out loud.
You shot the wrong guy, Floyd.
Lincoln 56, request a
990 for a 187 suspect
in custody, 1419 Granada Drive.
Accidents will happen, you know.
It's a law of nature.
To err is human.
I am human.
I mean, I never said
anything else but.
That's right.
Maybe other people might have
said so, but I never did.
I am a man, and a man
can make mistakes.
Right?
Forget and forget,
that's my philosophy.
Too bad it doesn't
run in the family.
Hunter, don't even think
about coming up on this porch
unless you're bringing a
whole lot of good news.
Because that's what I
need today, good news.
You know?
All I've been good
lately is bad news, man.
If I didn't have any bad
news, I wouldn't have no news.
Grandpa, I've been
thinking about you.
Uh-huh.
I picked up something
over at Oscar's.
I think you're
going to like this.
Oh, thank you, Mr. Hunter.
And Grandma thanks you, too.
- Yeah.
Well, this is a pretty
nice little situation.
Now, you keep your
heads off that doll.
Do you hear me?
We've got 12 different
guys that match this M.O.
A prowler drives into a
residential neighborhood,
he rips off a car.
This man stole this necklace.
Seen either one of them?
I am an honest businessman.
Those are all diamonds.
It's a murder case
now, Mr. Benson.
I want my necklace and
I'm willing to pay for it.
Som... somebody's here.
Somebody's here.
Hey!
,, he's got my necklace!
Security guard's
name is Tom Mitchell.
Used to be a police officer.
Yeah.
I know.
He, uh... he taught me how
to shoot at the academy.
I didn't know that.
Retired a couple of years ago.
He's, uh... I guess he
just couldn't give it up.
Con permiso.
Can you tell me what
the man looked like?
It was too dark to see
his face when I caught him.
The punk got lucky
with a sucker punch.
I mean, he breaks in here,
he threatens my wife.
I'd like to tear
the guy in half.
What about when you
turned on the light?
Oh, god.
I was scared.
But I saw him.
He was about six
feet and he was thin
and he was wearing all black.
Was he Caucasian?
Yes.
And he wasn't bald, but he
had a... a receding hairline.
I'm sorry I can't
be any more help.
It happened so fast.
No.
That's all right.
You're sure that
this necklace is
the only thing that's missing?
That's all.
We checked.
And how much is it worth?
Over $1 million.
Those are all diamonds.
I'm sorry, honey.
I'm so stupid.
I should have locked it
up as soon as we got home.
Don't worry about it.
At least you didn't get hurt.
Let's call it quits, huh?
I mean, my wife's been
through enough for one night.
Sure.
If I have any more questions,
I'll contact you tomorrow.
All right?
How's Tom Mitchell?
Still in ICU.
What's the story on the victims?
Floyd Benson is a
self-made millionaire.
He's recently retired.
Back in the '60s, he
managed a trucking firm.
Then he owned it and then he
bought out three of his biggest
competitors, and
he did all of that
in just a matter of months.
Is all this aboveboard?
As far as we can tell.
And the necklace that was
stolen was a gift from Floyd
to Carol.
It was a second
anniversary present.
We've got 12 different
guys that match this M.O.
A prowler goes to a
residential district at night,
rips off a car, drives
into a wealthy district,
burglarizes a home, drives off,
abandons the car, end of job.
Now, nobody reports anything
missing until the morning,
and by then the
trail's too cold.
Any way you can link
these guys to last night?
Well, there's three of them that
fit the general description.
One of them's been in the
slammer for a couple of days
and the other one
moved to San Jose.
The third one is this
guy, Charlie Spain,
medium build, about six foot,
sandy hair, receding hairline.
Basically, he matches
the physical description
that Carol Benson gave us.
Pick him up.
You take Benson,
I'll take Spain.
Yeah.
Who is it?
Metropolitan Police.
Just a minute.
OK.
Right on time, Charlie.
Weller, you want
to bring him in?
We're going to ask you folks
to take a look at a couple
of people here in the lineup.
I didn't get much of
a chance at the guy.
That's all right.
Just take your time.
Can they see us?
No.
Like, I told you the first time,
I was sleep when Carol
turned on the light.
And it was dark
while we had it out.
I didn't get a shot at his face.
I don't recognize any of them.
Would you take
another look, please?
I'm sorry.
I don't think he's there.
Thank you.
Honey, I thought you
said you saw the guy.
I thought I did.
Guess not, huh?
She told me she got a
good look at the guy's face
and we get down here,
she can identify him.
I don't know.
What do you want?
I mean, it does happen.
- Yeah.
I don't like when it
happens to me, though.
Well, neither do I.
There's still Tom Mitchell.
Come on.
Yeah.
Hi.
I'd like to see Tom
Mitchell, please.
Are you a relative?
No, but I'm a good friend.
I'm sorry.
Mr. Mitchell died
about half an hour ago.
It's me.
347 Victoria, second floor,
first apartment on the left.
He's alone.
- Who is it?
- Carol Benson.
Who?
You remember me.
You broke into my
house last night
and you stole my
diamond necklace.
Lady, I've never seen
you in my entire life,
and I don't break
into people's houses.
I want it back.
You are barking up
the wrong tree, you
and that wire you're wearing.
I'm not wearing a wire.
And I look stupid
enough to believe that.
There's more than one
place to hide a wire.
Satisfied?
Well, let's say I believe
you're not wearing a wire.
Nobody knows I'm here.
I want my necklace and
I'm willing to pay for it.
$50,000.
OK.
I'll play along with this.
Some guy grabbed your necklace.
What did you say
it was, diamonds?
Diamonds it is.
What's something
like that worth?
Call it $1 million?
Well, that guy could
get 10% from any fence.
10% of a million, $100,000.
I'll pay $100,000.
Lady, you've got
to have insurance.
What's going on here?
I don't want the insurance
money; I want my necklace.
Like I said, I don't have it.
This is my phone number.
If you call me, and I'm sure
you will, ask for Eleanor.
I'll know it's for you
and I'll take the call.
Look what I got.
Hey, Grandpa.
Look, it's all fixed.
Just a little dab of super epoxy
glue, that's all it needed,
man.
And it's as good as new.
Now, watch this here.
Clumsy, clumsy, clumsy.
Grandpa, how you doing?
Oh, just fair.
Good to see you.
How you doing, Sporty?
I decapitated Bessie Smith.
Grandpa's favorite blues
singer, you know, I knocked it
off the mantelpiece yesterday.
Grandma bought it for Grandpa
way back there, where,
in New York World's Fair, 1939.
Because the next
year Grandma died.
Yeah.
There's probably not another
one like it in the entire globe.
Man, he'll never forgive me.
Well, I'm sorry,
Grandpa, Sporty.
How could I mess up your life?
Sporty, where would a guy
ditch a piece of ice like that?
Oh, yeah.
For something this big,
you're talking about some very
rarified fencing.
Uh, individuals who like
to keep a low profile.
Oscar.
- Oscar.
Yeah.
You go ask Oscar.
The man who's got a pawnshop
on McAllister and Western.
He doesn't he handle this
level of merchandise,
but he will lead you
to people who can.
Good.
Thanks, Sporty.
So, uh, what about the usual
Sporty James quid pro quo?
No charge, Hunter.
Man, I've got enough
on my mind right now.
Being in Grandpa's doghouse
is a full-time occupation.
See you, Grandpa.
See you, Sporty.
Get in there.
In, in, in.
I can't commit myself to
something over the telephone.
Oh, yeah?
Well, you bring it in here and
show me it's in perfect shape.
Listen, fella, I'm open
24 hours a day almost.
Just come in here, show
me your merchandise,
I'll give you a price.
It's that simple.
Don't give me any lip,
for crying out loud.
Will you come in here and
we'll try and do business.
I gotta go.
Is there anything I can
do for you, Sergeant?
Yeah.
You ever see that before?
Do I look like I
deal in diamonds?
You're a fence, aren't you?
Hey, wait a minute.
Now, I... I don't even
know how to respond
to an accusation like that.
I am an honest businessman.
Yo, Oscar, my man.
I would like you to meet your
police officer friend here.
Oh.
Hey, police officer friend.
Hi, Wally.
Hi.
Oh, man.
I'm so stupid.
I'm double parked.
I wouldn't watch you to
give me a ticket now.
See you, Wally.
Yeah.
Now, you see what
I need here is, uh,
for you to give me the name
or the names of people that
can fence $1 million in gems.
Or, Oscar, I put a
squad car right...
Right out there outside your
door every day for a month.
Three jewelers.
There's one in Century City,
there are two in Beverly Hills.
They don't do a lot, but when
they do it's always major.
Great.
Thanks.
Hey, Sergeant?
Do me a favor.
Will you forget
where you got that?
Forget where I got what?
How can I help you, officer?
Well, let's see.
This man stole this necklace.
Seen either one of them?
This is a jewelry store.
I know.
I've been to two just like it.
This man murdered a security
guard during the robbery.
Now, if anybody had
seen you two together,
you could be an
accessory to murder.
Well, I don't deal
in stolen items.
Though on occasion, a criminal
will approach me under the, uh,
assumption that I do.
Uh-huh.
Uh, this person came
in with the necklace,
I told him to get out.
That's it?
That is all, though I
must say you're making
an awful fuss over a fake.
What do you mean, a fake?
Cubic zirconia, synthetic
diamonds, about $5,000 worth.
A brilliant imitation.
Good enough to fool the rich
and famous, but not good
enough to fool me.
This necklace is a fake?
A fake.
Wow.
Benson residence.
Is Eleanor there?
It's for Miss Eleanor.
I'll take it.
May I help you?
Hello, Mrs. Benson.
Oh, hi.
Let's say I
do have that necklace of yours
and let's say I
took it to a fence...
A good one, a jeweler...
And he said that
they're not diamonds.
I might begin to
think, why would you
shell out $100,000 for a fake?
Get to the point.
I might also start to think
that you don't want anybody
else to know that it is
a fake, especially not
your moneybags husband,
and that you'd pay, say,
$200,000 to make sure
I return the favor
and keep my mouth shut.
- Is that it?
I think I've said enough.
You know where I am.
Hello?
Where are you?
Bev Hills.
I just connected Spain with
Carol Benson's necklace.
I'm glad somebody
is having some luck
because I'm not having any at
all with these other suspects.
Yeah.
Are you sitting down?
Yes.
The necklace is a fake.
- What?
- Yeah.
That's what I said.
Meet me at Spain's
apartment ASAP.
He's in that apartment
up over the garage there.
I want you to wait
around the back for me.
I'll go in the front way.
Spain?
Metro PD.
Open up.
Spain?
Spain?
McCall, he's dead.
Oh, boy.
Can you describe
exactly what you heard?
Two pops just like firecrackers.
As a matter of fact,
I thought that's what
it was, the neighborhood
kids messing around.
Can you remember about the time
that you heard these sounds?
Oh I can exactly.
It was one o'clock.
I had just switched on
"Another World" and pop, pop.
That's when it starts,
"Another World," one o'clock.
Thank you.
You've been very helpful.
Sure.
So there were two shots, one
to the head, one to the heart.
Looks like a .22.
Was he beaten up?
No, just the bullet wounds.
I'd say whoever came here
came here to kill him.
Yeah.
You know, I still
don't understand why
she'd risk everything she had.
What do you mean?
Carol's husband gives her
a necklace worth $1 million.
She trades it in
for cash and then
she replaces it with a fake?
Now, why would she do that?
She's young, she's
beautiful, she's
married to this wealthy guy.
Why would she risk losing
it all by stealing from him?
It doesn't make any sense.
Plus, $1 million is probably
petty cash considering
what the guy's worth.
I mean, she already has it all.
Well, the old man's 30
years older than she is.
Maybe he doesn't give
her enough space to do
what she really wants to do.
Like what?
Like take advantage of the
fact she's young and beautiful.
Good theory.
Bus 2114, express...
There it is.
To Pomona, Indio,
and now boarding...
Of course, that is provided
we find something in this,
uh, locker other
than gym shorts.
A bag.
You do the honors.
Well.
I wouldn't want
to disappoint you.
Oh, hello.
Check it out.
Think he wears out
when he works out?
Good.
It'd fool me.
Cute.
There she goes.
See you later.
Keep in touch.
You got it.
This is Lincoln 56.
I need a license
traced in California.
Plate 2 Paul Charles Edward 316.
Looks like, uh, unmarked
police vehicle, maybe...
Maybe from Beverly Hills.
POLICE DISPATCH: Roger L56.
On California plate 2
Paul Charles Edward 316,
car is registered to Martin
Greenwald, 2834 Oakwood Avenue.
Marty Greenwald
the private dick?
POLICE DISPATCH Owner
is listed as licensed
private investigator.
Roger.
L56 out.
Mr. Benson, please.
Oh, yes.
Just a minute, please.
Right through there, senor.
Thank you.
Sergeant.
Mr. Benson.
Have a seat.
Thank you.
Did you come here to give me
a report about our necklace?
No.
Actually, I came here
to talk to your wife.
What for?
It's a murder case
now, Mr. Benson.
You mean the
security guard died.
Who else would I have meant?
What are you getting
at, did he or didn't he?
Yes, he did.
He passed away
several hours ago.
But there's been another death.
Charlie Spain, the prowler that
your wife could not identify
in the lineup, he's dead, too.
- What the hell is...
- Just relax.
Just sit down.
I need to know where your wife
was at exactly 1:00 PM today.
In Beverly Hills.
Every Wednesday she's
got a beauty appointment
from 12:30 to two o'clock.
That's where she was.
Can I check that out?
Angela, get Sergeant
Hunter the address
of Mrs. Benson's beauty parlor.
By the way, where were
you today at one o'clock?
Playing golf.
Why?
Golf.
What did Marty Greenwald want?
You see, I know Marty.
I just saw him leaving.
Look, I hired
Greenwald because I
want that necklace back.
Sentimental value
alone, it's priceless.
I know damn well the
police department care more
about finding the guy who
shot the security guard
than it does about my necklace.
And I like to deal with
people who work for me.
Thank you.
And, uh, thank you.
Excuse me.
Hi.
- Hi.
Sergeant Hunter.
What's your name?
I'm Stephanie.
Stephanie, could you
tell me if Carol Benson was
in here today at one o'clock?
Carol?
Yes.
She comes in every Wednesday
at 12:30 for a facial.
- Did you see her?
- Well, no.
But that doesn't mean anything.
I was probably out to lunch.
Yeah.
Could you look?
Sure.
OK.
Right here at 12:30.
Hm.
Hm, what?
Well her name's not crossed
out so she didn't cancel,
but there's no X, which means
we don't bill her for today.
Well, that means
she never showed up.
Well, that means
I'm glad you looked.
Lincoln 57, this is Lincoln 56.
What's your 20?
8900 block on
Wilshire, heading east.
I'll cut over to San Vicente.
Our suspect's alibi
didn't check out.
It doesn't surprise me.
Just crossed Cannon.
Lincoln 57, this is Lincoln 56.
I'm at Wilshire Boulevard
and San Vicente.
OK.
Wait for us.
Hey, let's go!
Move it, you jerk!
Sorry.
You know a Carol Benson?
No.
Never heard of her.
- Where's your elevators?
- Around this way.
Thank you.
I'll call the floors.
Yeah.
She just passed
the fourth floor.
Got it.
She's just coming
up on the eighth.
She stopped at 15.
Got it.
Hi.
Carol Benson, please.
You must have the
wrong apartment.
I live here.
- Well, I know that.
But, uh, I think we both
know she's in there.
Do you have a search warrant?
Let him in, Jeffrey.
Thanks.
You have no business
following me around.
The state of my marriage
is none of your concern.
That's true, but the
murder of Charlie Spain is.
I have no idea who or
what you're talking about.
Well, sure you do.
Charlie Spain's the guy you
wouldn't ID at the lineup.
You know, this is a
very, very nice place.
What'd you do, sell the
necklace to pay for all this?
Get the hell out of here.
See, when Spain found out
this necklace was a fake, what
he decided to do was
hide it in a locker
down at the bus station.
That's why you couldn't
find it at his place.
Then Charlie got the bright
idea to blackmail you over this.
That's when you killed him.
At one o'clock today, you
had a facial appointment.
You missed it.
Why?
I was at the bank.
The bank.
Here, they messed up
my checking accounts.
Took them forever to fix it.
I missed my facial.
Look, the time and date
are printed right on it.
What is it, a little
after one o'clock?
Yeah.
Why don't you call the bank?
I bet there's maybe six or
seven people who remember me.
I may have raised a big
enough stink about it.
Very good, Carol.
Not only do you have
an alibi, but you've
got one in black and white.
I bet you don't have an alibi
in black and white, Jeff.
What are you trying to say?
I think what
she's trying to tell
you is she didn't kill anybody.
Now, if that's the truth, then
that leaves one other suspect.
What were you doing at
one o'clock today, Jeff?
I was at the health club
between twelve and two,
working out with at least
half a dozen people.
You can go over there and check.
Let's see now, pumping
iron between twelve and two
and the bank at one o'clock.
I'll check both of those out.
Don't leave town.
Appreciate it.
Let me guess.
Jeffrey's alibi check out?
Yeah.
He was doing squats with
about 5,000 other guys.
What about Carol?
Two tellers and
two vice presidents
will swear that she was in
that bank at one o'clock.
You know, why... why is it...
Why couldn't I have
been a fireman?
Oh.
You know, when you left Benson's
house, guess who drives up,
Marty Greenwald.
Marty Greenwald?
You mean Marty messy
divorce Greenwald, that guy?
Benson hired him
to find the necklace.
What, like the whole police
department wasn't good enough?
I find that kind
of hard to believe.
Yeah.
So do I.
So who the hell killed Spain?
Just a sec.
Hunter.
Hi, Marty.
I, uh, was just getting
ready to take off.
But, uh, come in.
You've been a good boy?
You look good.
Yeah?
Well, I try.
I, uh, see you got
out of that, uh, case
with the minister's
wife, you know
with the photographs of the
nude women spread all over town.
The lord works
in mysterious ways.
Yeah.
What were you doing
is Spain's apartment?
What are you talking about?
You a hit man now?
Spain's dead.
Hey, now wait a minute.
I do... I do...
I don't know anything
about Spain being hit.
And, uh, you paid Benson
a little visit today.
That was your car
I spotted there.
Yep.
Benson made it clear
that, uh, he hired
you to find that necklace.
Necklace?
Yeah.
Yeah.
He hired me before that ever
happened to tail his wife.
He thought she was
having an affair.
And I got the
records to prove it.
Now, that's more than
I should've told you.
Are you, uh... are
you gonna Mirandize.
Me?
No.
Angela.
Hi.
I'd like to see Mr. Benson.
Mr. Benson no here.
Angela, his car
is in the driveway.
I know he's here.
No, he's... he's gone.
Look, Angela, you know
something bad is going on here,
don't you?
Will you do me a favor?
Will you stand
right here and yell
as loud as you can yell if
anybody runs through this door?
Will you do that for me?
Yes.
OK.
Floyd?
Floyd?
Senor.
Senor!
Senor!
Stop, police.
Get out, Floyd.
You know, Floyd, I wasn't
too sure who killed Charlie
Spain until you took off.
Now I know.
I'll be out in three days.
Spain had an affair
with my wife.
No way they're going to send
me up for killing the bastard.
You're right about
the affair bit,
but it wasn't with
Charlie Spain.
You're crazy.
I've known for months
something was going on there.
And then when she
wouldn't identify
that punk in the lineup, Marty
followed her to his apartment.
Marty saw her getting
undressed, for crying out loud.
You shot the wrong guy, Floyd.
Lincoln 56, request a
990 for a 187 suspect
in custody, 1419 Granada Drive.
Accidents will happen, you know.
It's a law of nature.
To err is human.
I am human.
I mean, I never said
anything else but.
That's right.
Maybe other people might have
said so, but I never did.
I am a man, and a man
can make mistakes.
Right?
Forget and forget,
that's my philosophy.
Too bad it doesn't
run in the family.
Hunter, don't even think
about coming up on this porch
unless you're bringing a
whole lot of good news.
Because that's what I
need today, good news.
You know?
All I've been good
lately is bad news, man.
If I didn't have any bad
news, I wouldn't have no news.
Grandpa, I've been
thinking about you.
Uh-huh.
I picked up something
over at Oscar's.
I think you're
going to like this.
Oh, thank you, Mr. Hunter.
And Grandma thanks you, too.
- Yeah.
Well, this is a pretty
nice little situation.
Now, you keep your
heads off that doll.
Do you hear me?